Antipodean (NZ) Excels in NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship

After a couple of unlucky runs in big races this season, Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) turned his fortunes around at Selangor on Sunday with a deserved victory in the RM300,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship (1400m). 

Antipodean was bought for $23,000 by trainer Simon Dunderdale from Regal Farm’s draft at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. The star five-year-old has now had 20 starts for 12 wins and six placings, including a perfect six-from-six record over 1400 metres.

Previously the winner of last year’s RM200,000 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) and RM100,000 Supreme Challenge Cup (1400m), little had gone right for Antipodean in his recent runs. He had a tough wide run when third in the Selangor Mile (1600m), then was significantly hampered by a fallen horse on his way to a fourth placing when he tried to defend his Selangor Gold Cup title. But it was a different story on Sunday.

Jockey Bernardo Pinheiro took up a handier position this time on Antipodean, settling in fifth behind Arigato (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Campionessa (Harry Angel), Singha Bay (NZ) (Tivaci) and Red Dragonfly (NZ) (Rubick).

All eyes went towards the outside at the home turn as Antipodean and Duma (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) began to launch their runs. That pair swept to the front together and went clear to fight out the finish, with Antipodean winning by half a length. The third-placed Rocky Bhai (Microphone) finished four and a half lengths behind the first two.

“When the rain came, I had to change tactics,” Pinheiro said. “He has been coming home strongly but not winning with 59 kilograms on his back. On the wet track, if I had held him back early, he would be charging home as usual but might be too late. Hence I decided to urge him on early and place him in a more handy position.

“Once I placed him where I wanted to be, I got him to relax and waited for the straight to mount my challenge. This horse has got such a big heart.”

Dunderdale was pleased to see a change in Antipodean’s fortunes.

“He was always drawn wide, and added to that he was either forced to race wide or was interfered with in the running,” he said. “Today he had the luck in the running and showed everyone what he is really capable of.”

The 2025 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 10am (NZT) on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November. Breeze Ups will be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 October.